Like this article? We recommend

Like this article? We recommend

Keeping the Bad Guys Out

We all know that security is an important concern, but do all of us take the
necessary measures to ensure it? Who exactly are the "bad guys"?
Criminals, hackers, people walking in off the street? Sure.

But your own employees?

Yes.

Shocking, isn't it? Studies have shown that the biggest threat to your
network operation is the accidental or even intentional misuse of the computer
system by employees. You have to take steps to protect users from
themselvesyou're putting them at risk just by providing the
opportunity for abuse.

If you've been an IT professional for a while, you've probably had
to recover files and directories from backups that were accidentally erased or
overwritten by another file with the same filename. It happens from time to
time. You have to give users enough permission to access the data files they
need to do their jobs. What can really hurt a company is a disgruntled
employee or former employee with access to the network.

This article discusses physical securitythe system that prevents
unauthorized users from getting into the computer room and even the suites on
the floor.

TIP

Don't forget procedures:

Terminate an employee's or contractor's network account when he
or she leaves your company or stops providing a contracted service.

Be diligent about account maintenance, including changing passwords on a
frequent basis.

I know of cases where a person left a company and had his or her account
terminated, but still knew another employee's account ID and password.
That's just as good as having his or her own login.